Safety stop for cutter chains



Nov. 17, 1936. C, HQRNER SAFETY sToP FOR CUTTER CHAINS Filed July 6,1936 ATTORNEYS Patented Nov. 17, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 4Claims.

This invention relates generally to mining machines and in particular toa safety device for preventing accidents due to the operation of acutter chain of a mining machine, while-the same is 5 being moved fromplace to place. The invention will be fully apparent from the followingdetailed description when read in connection with the accompanyingdrawing, in which Fig. 1 is a plan view diagrammatically illustrating amining machine, the cutter arm of which is equipped with an improvedsafety device; Fig. 2 is an enlarged plan view of the cutter arm withthe safety device in position; Fig. 3 is a horizontal section on line3-3 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is an enlarged 5 section on line 4-4 of Fig. 3;Figs. 5 and 6 are detail views of the safety device detached from thecutter arm.

Referring in detail to the drawing, l0 is a diagrammatic representationof a mining machine,

o which may be regarded as of conventional form.

II is a motor mounted thereon, which is connected by means of a worm I2and gearing I3 and a clutch I3a to an upright shaft I4 carrying asprocket wheel I5 adapted to propel a cutter chain 5 I6,` which carriesa plurality of cutter bits I1. These cutter bits are mounted in speciallinks I8, which are joined by connecting links I9. The cutter chain isguided in ways formed by plates 2U and 2| secured to the cutter arm 22.The cutl ter arm as a whole is adapted to be swung about the axis of theupright shaft I4, so as to cut a kerf under a seam of coal or the like.

The particular feature of the present invention relates to a safetystop, which is adapted to be 5 detachably secured to the cutter arm, soas to prevent the cutter chain from moving in either direction when themachine is not in use or when the machine is being propelled from onelocation to another, if for any reason the customary clutch 3controlling the drive should become engaged either through failure ofthe mechanism or a mistake on the part of the operator.

The safety device comprises a bar-like member 23 having a downwardlyextending portion 24,

5 the extremity of which is bent inwardly to form a tooth 25 adapted toenter the space between two adjacent links of a cutter chain. The member23 is detachably secured to the cutter bar by means of a removable pin26 having a perforated 0 handle 21 formed thereon. The pin 26 passesthrough an opening 28 in the member 23 and engages registering openings29 and 30 in the plates and 2l.

As thus arranged, it is clear that when the member 23 is placed inposition, as indicated in the drawing that the tooth thereof will serveto prevent motion of the cutter chain, even though the control clutchshould be inadvertently thrown 5 while the motor is in operation. Asafety feature of this kind is particularly desirable for miningmachines which are frequently used underground, where the illuminationis poor and where the mechanism is frequently operated by relativelyunskilled labor of a low order of intelligence.

While I have described quite specifically the particular embodiment ofthe invention herein illustrated it is to be understood that I am notlimited thereto since various modifications may u be made within thescope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In combination, a mining machine having a cutter arm, a cutter chainguided thereby, driving mechanism for the cutter chain, and a perforatedsafety stop bar having a detachable pin connection with the cutter armand provided with an abutment to project between the cutter links of thechain.

2. In combination with a mining machine hav- 25 ing a cutter armcarrying a power driven cutter chain, a safety device comprising aperforated member detachably secured by a removable pin to said cutterarm, said member having a portion adapted to be positioned between thecutter bit links of the chain so as to prevent movement thereof.

3. In combination with a mining machine having a cutter arm and a powerdriven cutter chain 35 guided thereby of a safety device comprising abar connected by a removable pin with a cutter arm, said bar having atooth portion adapted to be positioned between adjacent links of thechain so as to prevent movement thereof.

4. In combination with a mining machine having a pivotally mountedcutter arm, a cutter chain guided thereby, power driving means includinga clutch for transmitting power to said chain through the pivotal axisof said cutter arm and a safety device comprising a bar connected by aremovable pin with said cutter arm and having an abutment projectinginto the path of the cutter links and effective to prevent the movementof 50 the cutter chain when said clutch is accidentally engaged.

CLARENCE HORNER.

